Apparatus for carrying a power tool

ABSTRACT

A carrying apparatus for a power tool can comprise a first power tool connector attachable to a power tool, a retraction device attached to the first power tool connector, a strap with a first end and a second end, a strap connector attached to the second end of the strap; and a second power tool connector attachable to the power tool. The latching device can be capable of latching to the strap connector, and the strap can be secured to the retraction device at the first end, and can be extendable from and retractable to the retraction device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for carrying a power tool, and more particularly, to a shoulder strap assembly for carrying a heavy or awkwardly shaped power tool.

A power tool is a tool powered by non-manual means, such as by an electric motor, a compressed air motor, an internal combustion engine, direct burning of fuels and propellants, or natural power sources like wind or moving water. Power tools can be used in industry, in professional services, in emergency services, in construction, and for a variety of purposes such as, but not limited to driving, drilling, cutting, shaping, sanding, grinding, polishing, painting, and heating. Power tools are classified as either stationary or portable, where portable means handheld.

While some portable power tools are small, lightweight, and easily transported during use or between uses, other portable power tools are larger, awkwardly shaped, or heavy, and therefore, transported with more difficulty during use or between uses. Examples of more easily transported power tools might include screwdrivers, small belt sanders, a small router, and a drill. Examples of more difficultly transported items might include a chainsaw, a rotary saw, or a weed cutter.

In some circumstances, these more difficultly carried power tools must be carried and transported during use, or between different locations to be used consecutively. In some of these circumstances, the power tools must be carried indefinitely, or to multiple locations. The weight load can be overly burdensome to carry with the hands or arms alone, fatiguing a user, which can reduce the user's safety in operating the power tool, or require more frequent rest breaks.

Some devices enable the user to more easily carry the relatively difficultly transported power tools. To make carrying some power tools easier, shoulder straps and/or harnesses can be used to relieve weight from the hands and arms, and transfer at least some of the weight load to the shoulders and back. For instance, one device provides a hook attached to the portable power tool, in this case a tree trimmer, and to a harness. The harness attaches around the shoulders of the operator in order to take weight off the user's arms during use of the power tool. The user can then more easily bear the weight of the power tool while operating the device. One disadvantage of this device is the reduced freedom to move the device in relation to the body, as the device is pivotal at one point where the hook attaches between the portable power tool and the harness. Some devices require a greater freedom of movement during operation.

Another device is a carrying device for a chain saw type motor saw. This device provides suspension members connecting the chain saw type motor saw to a harness. The suspension members can provide some degree of mobility during use. However, the freedom to move the motor saw during use is still limited.

Also, each of these two devices is designed to be connected to the harness during use to take weight off the user's arms during use. These devices cannot be quickly connected to and disconnected from the position of support from the shoulders, or even repositioned for better carrying between or during times of use.

In some circumstances, however, a user might need to quickly remove the power tool from the shoulder carrying position, to either wield the power tool with more mobility, or to set the power tool down, with the ability to pick the power tool back up quickly and/or put it back in the shoulder carrying position quickly for use or transport. In transport, the user might need to quickly rearrange the shoulder carrying position from one position to a significantly different shoulder carrying position. For example, a fireman might carry a power saw during an emergency, not knowing where or when the fireman might need to use the power saw. He can reduce or prevent arm fatigue by transferring weight to his shoulders and/or back, and the fireman can leave his hands relatively free while carrying the power saw, which renders the fireman safer and better equipped to address the emergency situation. However, with the current devices, the fireman cannot quickly reposition the power saw, including but not limited to setting the power saw down or manipulating the shoulder carrying position to find a better center of gravity, or to move the power tool out of an obstruction position. The fireman's mobility, agility, and/or dexterity can be affected negatively, which can slow down his response speed and put him at greater risk. The fireman's ability to transition between modes of operation also can be negatively affected (e.g. the fireman's speed of action can be slowed).

Some devices offer a simple strap attached to two portions of the power tool. With a simple strap looped around the shoulders and neck, the power tool can be more easily moved quickly out of the shoulder carrying position along with the strap so that the power tool can be wielded with all the weight resting on the hands and arms, or so that the power tool can be set down. However, with a simple strap attached to the power tool, the strap can dangle from where the strap is connected to the power tool, and the strap can therefore be obstructing. The strap can even provide a safety hazard. For example, the strap can get caught up in the blade of a chainsaw while dangling. During rushed operation, such as in the case of the power tool's use during an emergency, the likelihood of a dangling strap causing a nuisance is magnified.

It would be advantageous to have a carrying device for use with a relatively difficultly transported power tool, without the disadvantages of the devices described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a carrying apparatus for a power tool can comprise a first power tool connector attachable to a power tool, a retraction device attached to the first power tool connector, a strap with a first end and a second end, a strap connector attached to the second end of the strap; and a second power tool connector attachable to the power tool. The latching device can be capable of latching to the strap connector, and the strap can be secured to the retraction device at the first end, and can be extendable from and retractable to the retraction device.

In another embodiment, a carrying apparatus for a power tool can comprise a first handle connector having a first clamp, a retraction device attached to the first handle connector, a strap with a first end and a second end, a strap connector attached to the second end of the strap; and a second handle connector having a latching device and a second clamp. The first clamp can be being positionable in a first clamped position and a first nonclamped position. The second clamp can be positionable in a second clamped position and a second nonclamped position. The latching device can be capable of latching to the strap connector. The strap can be secured to the retraction device at the first end, and the strap can be extendable from and retractable to the first handle connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features of the invention can be understood, a detailed description of the invention may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the invention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of invention. Thus, for further understanding of the invention, reference can be made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power tool carrying apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention that can be connected to a chain saw.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first handle connector, according to the embodiment of the power tool carrying apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the first handle connector of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second handle connector, according to the embodiment of the power tool carrying apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the second handle connector of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spooling pin, which is part of a retraction device attached to the second handle connector of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a spring, which is part of the retraction device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the power tool carrying apparatus of FIG. 1 attached to a power tool, and with the strap in a fully retracted position, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the power tool carrying apparatus of FIG. 1 attached to a power tool, and with the strap in the semi-retracted position, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the power tool carrying apparatus of FIG. 1 attached to a power tool, and with the strap in the fully extended position, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power tool carrying apparatus 10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention that can be connected to a chain saw. Referring to FIG. 1, the power tool carrying apparatus 10 comprises a first handle connector 100, a strap connector 200, a strap 300, and a second handle connector 400. The first handle connector 100 can connect to a first handle of a power tool, such as but not limited to a chain saw. The first handle connector 100 can also be connected to the strap connector 200. The strap connector 200 can be ring-shaped, semi-circular, or similarly geometrically shaped so that the strap connector 200 can loop through a hem at a first end of the strap 300. The strap 300 connects to the second handle connector 400. The second handle connector 400 can be connected to a second handle of the power tool. The strap 300 can be flat or round, and can be made of polyester, vinyl, or a number of other known materials. The strap 300 can be flame retardant, abrasion resistant, and/or tear resistant.

The first handle and the second handle can be either of a front handle or a rear handle, and the first handle connector 100 and the second handle connector 400 can be modified to connect to either. Also, the first handle connector 100 and the second handle connector 400 can connect to the same handle, or the first handle connector 100 and the second handle connector 400 can connect to a shaft or another part of the power tool rather than a handle.

For purposes of illustrating and describing the power tool carrying apparatus 10, FIGS. 1 through 10 exemplify the power tool carrying apparatus 10 in one embodiment, as designed and used with one particular type of power tool, e.g. a chainsaw. In particular, the first handle connector 100 and the second handle connector 400, as illustrated and described in FIG. 1 through 10, are intended for use with a chainsaw, and to connect to a rear handle and a front handle, respectively. However, the first handle connector 100 and the second handle connector 400 can be modified to connect to various handles or other parts of various power tools, such as but not limited to the handles of circular saws, and various fire and rescue saws. Also, the first handle connector 100 and the second handle connector 400 can be modified accordingly in order to switch positions.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first handle connector 100, according to the embodiment of the power tool carrying apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the first handle connector 100 of FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first handle connector 100 can connect to a first handle of a power tool using a first clamp 110. The first clamp 110 is comprised of a first lower jaw 112 and a first upper jaw 114. The first lower jaw 112 can be fully removable from the first upper jaw 114, or the first lower jaw 112 and the first upper jaw 114 can be hinged so that the first handle connector 100 can open from one side to allow a power tool handle to be inserted between the first lower jaw 112 and the first upper jaw 114. The first lower jaw 112 and the first upper jaw 114 can enclose a first cavity 116 on four sides, the first cavity 116 having two opposing open sides. The first lower jaw 112 and the first upper jaw 114 can clamp around the first handle of a power tool so that the first handle extends through the first cavity 116 and the two open sides. The first cavity 116 can be rectangular in shape, or otherwise shaped to conform around the first handle. The first lower jaw 112 and the first upper jaw 114 can be secured and/or tightened together to lock the first handle connector 100 to the first handle. The first lower jaw 112 can be secured to the first upper jaw 114 by the use of bolts 113, screws, or another known fastening means.

A clip 118 can be attached to the first upper jaw 114. The clip 118 can be bolted, screwed, adhered, welded, or otherwise fastened to the first upper jaw 114, or the clip 118 can be fashioned from the same solid, single piece of material as the first upper jaw 114. The clip 118 can be a spring clip, as shown, in which a spring forces the clip closed, but in which the force is small enough for the hand of a typical person to easily overcome to open the clip. Clips other than the one illustrated, or other known latching devices able to be quickly latched and unlatched, can be used as well, as would be known to one skilled in the art based on this description of the power tool carrying apparatus 10.

The first handle connector 100, including the first lower jaw 112, and/or the first upper jaw 114, and/or the clip 118, can be comprised of a durable material, strong enough to stay clamped and maintain structural integrity withstanding the forces and torques generated during carrying, rotation, and other movement of relatively heavy or awkwardly shaped power tools used with the power tool carrying apparatus 10.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second handle connector 400, according to the embodiment of the power tool carrying apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the second handle connector 400 of FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the second handle connector 400 can connect to a second handle of a power tool using a second clamp 410. The second clamp 410 is comprised of a second lower jaw 412 and a second upper jaw 414. The second lower jaw 412 can be fully removable from the second upper jaw 414, or the second lower jaw 412 and the second upper jaw 414 can be hinged so that the second handle connector 400 can open from one side to allow a power tool handle to be inserted between the second lower jaw 412 and the second upper jaw 414. The second lower jaw 412 and the second upper jaw 414 can enclose a second cavity 417 on four sides, the second cavity having two opposing open sides. The second lower jaw 412 and the second upper jaw 414 can clamp around the second handle of a power tool so that the second handle extends through the second cavity 417 and the two open sides. The second cavity 116 can be cylindrical in shape, or otherwise shaped to conform around the second handle. The second lower jaw 412 and the second upper jaw 414 can be secured and/or tightened together to lock the second handle connector 400 to the second handle. The second lower jaw 412 can be secured to the second upper jaw 414 by the use of bolts, screws, or another known fastening means.

A retraction device 418 can be attached to the second upper jaw 414. The retraction device 418 can be bolted, screwed, adhered, welded, or otherwise fastened to the second upper jaw 414. The second upper jaw 414 can have a housing 420 that can enclose the retraction device 418 on up to five sides, as long as enough space is open on at least one side for the strap 300 to retract using the retraction device 418. The housing 420 can be fashioned from the same solid, single piece of material as the second upper jaw 414, or the housing 420 can be attached to the second upper jaw 414 by known methods, such as bolting, adhering, or welding.

Still referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the retraction device 418 can comprise a spring assembly 430 and a spooling pin 440. The spooling pin 440 can be generally cylindrically shaped, and rotatably mounted to the second upper jaw 414 and/or the housing 420 so that it can rotate and the strap 300 can wrap or spool around, or unwrap or unspool from the spooling pin 440. The spooling pin 440 can be attached to two opposing side walls of the second upper jaw 414 and/or the housing 420. The spooling pin 440 can extend into and/or through the first opposing side wall 415, to rotatably anchor the spooling pin 440 at the first opposing side wall 415. The spooling pin 415 can also extend into and/or through the second opposing side wall 416, to rotatably anchor the spooling pin 440 at the second opposing side wall 416. The portion of the spooling pin 440 that extends through the second opposing side wall 416 can be covered by a spring cap 432. The spring cap 432 can be bolted, screwed, adhered, or otherwise fastened to the second upper jaw 414 and/or the housing 420. The spring cap 432 can be removably fastened to allow access to parts enclosed by the spring cap 432.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the spooling pin 440 inside the housing 420, according to the embodiment of the retraction device 418 of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The strap 300 is anchored to the spooling pin 440, such as by adhering, riveting, sewing, clipping, or other known methods. The spooling pin 440 can have a slot 442 extending through the spooling pin 400 and having a width as wide as the strap 300, so an end of the strap 300 can be threaded through the slot 442, and anchored by one of the methods described above, or by spooling a length of the strap 300 tightly around the spooling pin 440 to overlap the end of the strap 300 threaded through the slot 442, thereby applying pressure to hold the end of the strap 300 in place so it can be further spooled and/or unspooled to extend or retract the strap 300.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the spring assembly 430 with the spring cap 432 removed, according to one embodiment of the invention consistent with the retraction device 418 of FIG. 6. The spooling pin 440 can extend through the second opposing wall 416 of the second upper jaw 414 or the housing 420, and a spring 434 can be anchored to the spooling pin 440. The slot 442 can extend through the portion of the spooling pin 440 that extends through the second opposing wall 416 of the second upper jaw 414 and/or the housing 420; or a separate slot 442 can be formed through the end of the spooling pin 440. A first end 435 of the spring 434 can be anchored to the spooling pin 440 by positioning a length through the slot 442 and bending the spring 434 around the perimeter or circumference of the spooling pin 434. Other conventional or known methods of anchoring the first end 435 of the spring 434 to the spooling pin 440 can also be used. Other types of springs can also be used, as would be known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The spring cap 432 can be fastened over the spring 434 to enclose the spring 434 between the spring cap 432 and the second upper jaw 414 and/or the housing 420. The spring cap 432 can be removably fastened using screws, bolts, or other known fastening methods. The spring cap 432 can have one or more projections on an inside surface, around which a second end of the spring can be bent, so that the second end 436 of the spring 434 can be anchored to the spring cap 432. Other known methods can be used to anchor the second end of the spring 434 to the spring cap 432.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the power tool carrying apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 attached to a power tool 800, and with the strap 300 in a fully retracted position 810, according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 8 and to FIG. 1, in the fully retracted position 810, the strap 300 is fully retracted and wound around the spooling pin 440. The tension of the spring 434 retains the strap 300 in this fully retracted position 810 until a force is applied to overcome the retraction force of the spring 434. The strap 300 can be pulled out and the strap connector 200 can be clipped to the clip 118.

This position is referred to herein as a semi-retracted position. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the power tool carrying apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 attached to the power tool 800, and with the strap 300 in the semi-retracted position 820, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this semi-retracted position 820, the retraction force of the spring 434 pulls the strap 300 taught so that the strap 300 can be flush with the power tool 800, and/or not dangling loosely. When the strap 300 is in the semi-retracted position 820, the power tool 800 can be used, carried, or set down without the strap dangling dangerously in the way, or without otherwise impeding the operator in his/her use of the power tool 800.

Furthermore, the strap 300 can be quickly moved into a fully extended position. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the power tool carrying apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 attached to the power tool 800, and with the strap 300 in the fully extended position 830, according to one embodiment of the invention. The fully extended position 830 can be a shoulder carrying position. For instance, the strap 300 can be extended into the fully extended position 830 so that the strap 300 can be slung over a shoulder 842 of a user 841, or around the neck and over both shoulders. The power tool 800 can then be carried and/or transported with the user's hands free, or the power tool 800 can be used with weight shifted from the user's arms and hands to the user's shoulders and body. Just as easily as the power tool 800 can be moved into a shoulder carrying position, the power tool 800 can be moved out of the shoulder carrying position. When the power tool is moved out of the shoulder carrying position, tension of the spring 434 causes the spooling pin 440 to rotate and the strap 300 to wind around the spooling pin 440, so that the strap 300 retracts quickly and efficiently. The strap 300, again in the semi-retracted position 820, is out of the way but ready to be quickly used again. For storage, or to further clear any physical obstruction or to reduce the chance that the strap 300 might be an obstruction, the strap connector 200 can quickly and easily be unclipped from the clip 118, thereby allowing the strap 300 to wind into the fully retracted position 810.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A carrying apparatus for a power tool, the apparatus comprising: a first handle connector having a first clamp, the first clamp being positionable in a first clamped position and a first nonclamped position; a retraction device attached to the first handle connector; a strap with a first end and a second end, the strap secured to the retraction device at the first end, the strap being extendable from and retractable to the first handle connector; a strap connector attached to the second end of the strap; and a second handle connector having a latching device and a second clamp, the latching device being capable of latching to the strap connector, and the second clamp being positionable in a second clamped position and a second nonclamped position.
 2. The carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first handle connector is further comprised of a housing, and the retraction device is connected to the housing.
 3. The carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first clamp has a first surface with a first concavity and a second surface with a second concavity, the first concavity being aligned with the second concavity.
 4. The carrying apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first clamp is connectable to a rear chainsaw handle.
 5. The carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second clamp has a first flat clamping surface opposing a second flat clamping surface.
 6. The carrying apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second clamp is connectable to a front chainsaw handle.
 7. The carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latching device is a spring-loaded clip.
 8. The carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retraction device further comprises a spooling pin and a spring, wherein the strap is secured to the spooling pin at the first end, and the strap is retractable and spoolable around the spooling pin.
 9. The carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retraction device further comprises a cap enclosing a spring, the cap fastened to a surface of the first handle connector.
 10. A carrying apparatus for a power tool, the apparatus comprising: a first power tool connector attachable to a power tool; a retraction device attached to the first power tool connector; a strap with a first end and a second end, the strap secured to the retraction device at the first end, the strap being extendable from and retractable to the retraction device; a strap connector attached to the second end of the strap; and a second power tool connector having a latching device, the second power tool connector being attachable to the power tool, and the latching device being capable of latching to the strap connector.
 11. The carrying apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first power tool connector is further comprised of a housing, and the retraction device is connected to the housing.
 12. The carrying apparatus of claim 10, wherein the latching device is a spring-loaded clip.
 13. The carrying apparatus of claim 10, wherein the retraction device further comprises a spooling pin and a spring, wherein the strap is secured to the spooling pin at the first end, and the strap is retractable and spoolable around the spooling pin.
 14. The carrying apparatus of claim 10, wherein the retraction device further comprises a cap enclosing a spring, the cap fastened to a surface of the first power tool connector. 